BETHEL — Maine Handicapped Skiing, founded in 1982 at Sunday River in Newry, offers year-round adaptive recreation opportunities and programs for children and adults with physical disabilities at no cost to participants. Eric Topper, director of outreach at Maine Handicapped Skiing, will explain the many facets of the program from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Bethel Congregational Church, downstairs hall, Church Street.
Western Mountains Senior College is sponsoring the program as part of its Down Home Maine series, which focuses on unique, creative and adventurous programs and people that make Maine a great place to live.
Maine Handicapped Skiing was the first adaptive ski organization in Maine for people with disabilities. It has grown to 362 participants to date with more than 450 volunteers annually offering four winter sports at four locations, and summer programs of cycling, golf and paddling.
The organization sponsors a junior volunteer program and an alpine racing team, hosts the Diana Golden Level 1 Races at Sunday River and serves veterans and active military personnel with physical disabilities through Veterans/No Boundaries.
Topper will present a slide show and discuss the organization’s history and mission, as well as the equipment and techniques used to help people with disabilities ski, snowboard, snowshoe, paddle, golf and cycle throughout Maine. There will be opportunities to examine some of the equipment, ask questions and learn more about seasonal volunteer and fundraising opportunities.
Topper said that children and adults with physical disabilities are also encouraged to attend the presentation in order to learn more about the free year-round adaptive recreation programs that they offer.
Admission to the program is free and light refreshments will be served. Voluntary donations will be accepted to offset senior college expenses. For more information, contact Gartner at 665-2181.
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- Eric Topper, director of outreach at Maine Handicapped Skiing, will speak on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Bethel Congregational Church. The organization was the recipient of the proceeds from the Beach to Beacon race this year and Topper is pictured with the winners of the wheelchair division along with one of the skiing participants. From left are Michael Noyes, skiing participant; Jacqui Kapinowski, women’s wheelchair winner; Topper; and Tony Nogueira, men’s wheelchair winner.
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